Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

Merritt and Ross had a wonderful weekend celebrating with family!

Love for Merritt's Teachers

Merritt loves school and we owe that to her teachers. I couldn't wait for Teacher Appreciation Week in May so I decided to count down to the Holiday Break with the 5 Days of Christmas... On the 1st Day of Christmas, Merritt gave her teachers... Something for them to use, She's giving y'all these clipboards, so papers you won't lose. {Merritt picked the colors that she thought her teachers would like.} On the 2nd day of Christmas, Merritt gave her teachers... 2 Turtle Doves, Did you know two turtle doves are extremely hard to find? So here are Turtles and Doves, The chocolate candy kind! On the 3rd day of Christmas, Merritt gave her teachers... Three types of popcorn for a snack, Sorry that's all the food, I could fit in my backpack! On the 4th day of Christmas, Merritt gave her teachers... Stuff 4 the class. Dry-eraser markers come in four, As my teachers, you really help me soar. And my binder clips, I'm sure it could be very tempting, to use them on my lips! On the 5th day of Christmas, Merritt gave her teachers... 5 Golden Rings Only five golden rings? There are really more, Of Sonic onion rings, Yummy to core!

The List

Breakfast with Santa

Each year, my school hosts Breakfast with Santa. There are crafts for the kids, coffee and donuts, and of course a visit from Santa!

This is our third year to go and we had a wonderful time! Merritt was very excited to see Santa and tell him exactly what was on her Christmas List!

After our picture, we made Reindeer Bell Ornaments, a Jingle Bell necklace, and Reindeer Food. I loved how the event coordinators thought about the parents this year - there was NO glue or paint! There is nothing more brutal than keeping up with your children moving from station to station while holding a wet handprint or waiting for glue to dry.

If you ask Merritt what she liked best about the day... the Christmas Tree lollipop she got from Santa!

Christmas Fairy

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the Edge house. I spent mosst of November unpacking and therefore didn't get to decorate for Thanksgiving so I am making up for it now! I am so excited to be able to continue our traditions in our new house. Merritt has her pink feather tree and her advent snowman, but one tradition we will not continue is Elf on the Shelf. Elf caused lots of problems for us last year, so we asked him to pack his stuff and find another family to spy on.

This year we welcomed the Chritmas Fairy... she is lovely. She doesn't mess up your house, she doesn't 'watch' you to see if you do anything wrong and she does not report directly to Santa.

She brings a Christmas book for you to open and read each night.

Merritt has been excited to unwrap her book each night, unlike last year when she was terrified to close her eyes because the elf was watching her.

It was to cute the first night when she opened her book and told Beau that she already had that book. All of the 25 books are books she already had :)

I hope to keep this tradition going as Merritt and Ross get older. I think it is a nice way to countdown to Chritmas, by snuggling up with a good book.

Happy Turkey Day!

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents in Houston. The family spent the day outside playing, relaxing, and watching the caterpillars that were enjoying their Thanksgiving leaves. Merritt sang and showed off her moves with her two favorite songs, 'Any turkey can tango' and 'I'm silly and I know it' {sung to the tune of 'I'm sexy and I know it'}. There is video and yes I will use it to blackmail her later in life :)

Merritt waiting for Daddy to find her in her hiding spot...

And refusing to look at me when I have the camera and terrific natural light but still beautiful!

And then it was turkey time! Merritt enjoyed her food while Ross...

looked on, wondering where is mine??

Next year buddy, I have no doubt you will clear your plate.

And Hook'em Horns - what a great way to end a terrific rivalry! Longhorns won the first, the last, and most of them in between.

4 Months Today!

We are so incredibly lucky to have a happy and healthy boy in our lives. In a year where it seems not a lot has gone right... Ross and his sweet smile make it so much better. And I don't know if I have said the phrase, "It happens for a reason" in all my life than the past 6 months.

Our family is getting used to 4 and our schedule has become set. Ross is sleeping through the night {altough because I just typed that, I am sure I will be making a 3 am visit now}. We took a trip a the peditrician for his 4 month check-up and Ross is in the 75th-90th percentile in weight, height, and headsize. He is rolling from his tummy to his back and is so vain because his favorite thing to do is stare at himself in the mirror.

Merritt has come to the realization that Ross is staying for good and loves on him all the time. She is learning patience and understanding but isn't quite ready for sharing :)

Beau and I think about our days before Merritt and Ross - laying in bed all weekend, eating out for dinner, and hanging with our friends....

While it was fun, I look back and think my life wasn't complete until my babies join our family.

<3 them so much!